(FORT BEND ISD) – Willowridge High School’s Enchanting Wings Dance Team had a special visit from the legendary and world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem last week.
A partnership between The Edison Arts Foundation and Performing Arts Houston made the visit possible.
Historic ballet company artists Delaney Washington and Kamala Saara McDaniels led an educational dance class and Q & A session for the Enchanting Wings Dance Team. The class was free and included a ballet warm-up and other techniques to enhance students’ dance skills.
Willowridge HS head dance instructor Melissa Jones was excited to host the event for her dance team because she knows opportunities like this do not happen often.
“We would like to thank the Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Edison Arts Foundation and Performing Arts Houston for the wonderful opportunity,” Jones said. “The Enchanting Wings enjoyed their dance experience, especially the Q & A session where they were able to gain more knowledge about the company and its audition process, the challenges the artists face as dancers and how they overcome them, and their most memorable performances as company members.”
Dance Theatre of Harlem is based in Harlem, New York. Founded in 1969 under the directorship of Arthur Mitchell, it is America’s first Black classical ballet company and the first major ballet company to prioritize Black dancers.
The Edison Arts Foundation is a non-profit fine arts organization, established for the educational and charitable purpose of producing and developing cultural and performing arts programs for children, adults, and families throughout the community.
Performing Arts Houston has connected audiences with exceptional artists through diverse performances and learning experiences throughout Houston communities and schools for more than 55 years.
Members of the Enchanting Wings Dance Team who participated in the class were Captain Sydney Pierre, Co-Captain Robbie Raglin, Junior Lieutenant Skyler Mack, Taylor Brumfield, Fayth Castro, Kyla Collier, Za’Naiya Dotson, Alice Garcia, Karis King, Nadia Lavallais, Allaiya Milburn, Khari Patton, Bethzaida Perales, Kennedi Preston, and Janette Gonzalez-Vital, directed by Melissa C. Jones and Bailey Sherretts.
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